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John Brown (1800-1859) was an abolitionist fighter who led anti-slavery forces in battles across Kansas and Missouri in response to William Quantrill’s pro-slavery raid on Lawrence. His “resting chair,” shown on the front cover of our menu, is a representation of the chair in which he would sit all night, protecting the runaway slaves he was quartering on the underground railroad.

To celebrate Brown as heavily as we do is indicative of the revisionism that occurs over time, due to our biases and fascination with tales of heroism. To remember him as the icon of anti-slavery fighting in Kansas neglects the many black heroes of the time who fought harder, with far less privilege, than brown himself.

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how to judge a bar

“A great bar assumes everyone is brilliant, curious, kind, & humane...some bars make you feel welcome at every turn, and not just welcome but also smart, cool, exciting, and ultimately genuinely liked for having chosen to walk through their door...a bar is a transformative space; create that.​